Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, in his capacity as national disaster management committee chairman, said the bridges were part of preparations for floods, along with permanent relief shelters.

He said the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) would coordinate with other enforcement agencies to draw up strategies and action plans to be prepared for the floods.

“Nadma has ordered these bridges. It is also cooperating with the education ministry to create permanent relief shelters at schools that have been used previously as temporary relief shelters.

“These permanent relief shelters will have enough toilets and showers. During non-flood seasons, they can be used as halls for schools,” he told reporters after attending a Deepavali function at the Bagan Datuk Umno Complex here today.

Zahid said at least 67 districts throughout the country have been identified as flood-prone areas.

He said the government had allocated RM500 million under the 2024 budget for flood mitigation programmes.

At present, 280 flood victims from 78 families are being housed in four shelters in the Hilir Perak and Kerian districts.